Exhibiting Artists

Maine’s Craft Apprentice Program is a joint project of the Maine Craft Association and the Maine Arts Commission; Maine magazine is the exclusive 2016 magazine sponsor of CAP and the exhibition; CAP partnered with LA Arts to host the exhibition in their newly renovated space.

On view is new work created during the apprenticeship period, March-September 2016, by the 2016 CAP participants: master blacksmith Doug Wilson of Little Deer Isle, ME and apprentice James Crawford of Waldo, ME, master fiber artist Anne Emlein of Portland, ME and apprentice Rose Allard of Portland, ME, and master glass artist Linda Perrin of Ellsworth, ME and apprentice Jacquelyn Jenson of Bar Harbor, ME.

The public is invited to meet 2016 CAP artists at an opening reception for the exhibition from 4-7pm on October 6 at LA Arts in Lewiston, Maine.

CAP provides Maine craft artists with a relevant and alternative educational experience, and promotes craft as a viable career path. Master/apprentice pairs are selected for CAP through a competitive application process for which apprentices must demonstrate foundational skills in the medium they wish to pursue. Participants must be Maine residents, and establish clear goals for the apprenticeship period. Both master and apprentices receive honorariums and complete at least 100 apprenticeship hours.

By offering concentrated peer-to-peer learning experiences for young emerging craft practitioners, CAP illuminates master craft practices in traditional and contemporary craft mediums and addresses the need for developing sustainability and resiliency in the craft sector. It also celebrates the master/apprentice tradition as a way to generate creative entrepreneurship through the cultural sector. The annual exhibition in a highly visible, centrally located venue, marks the culmination of CAP for the year’s participants, after which CAP artists join an alumni network to convene annually with current year’s participants and foster further mentoring.

CAP is a very welcome opportunity for me to share my love, enthusiasm, talent and insight, and to do my part to ensure the skills are carried onward into a new generation.
–Doug Wilson, exhibiting artist and 2016 CAP master blacksmith

Program information, participant profiles, FAQs and application are available at www.MaineCAP.org. The 2017 CAP application deadline is December 9, 2016.

CAP 2017 Q&A Workshop

To learn more about applying to CAP Maine, craft artists are invited to attend a CAP 2017 Question and Answer session with MCA director, Sadie Bliss at LA Arts on November 2, 7-8pm. Please RSVP to Sadie.

About LA Arts

LA Arts is the local arts agency for the twin cities of Lewiston Auburn, Maine, and has been serving the region since 1973 in its mission to inspire and engage a vibrant community through arts and culture. The organization coordinates Art Walk Lewiston Auburn, teaching artist residencies and other Arts in Education programming, and art exhibitions at their gallery in downtown Lewiston. They are responsible for the the creation of the Twin Cities’ newest cultural plan and are underway on an NEA Our Town-supported initiative to grow and support local artisanal- and crafts-based businesses. Learn more at laarts.org.